When buying decking, it’s important that you are aware of some natural occurring defects that plague other species as well as pressure-treated decking.

Some of the more common defects that you can run into are checks, knots, and splits. If you’ve ever stepped on a chemically treated wood decks, you most definitely have seen all three of those defects since they’re most common with softer and lesser grade woods.

In this one picture, you can see how knots, checks & splits have made this surface dangerous to walk on.

Checks are a result of the wood separating across rings. They are more prevalent on vertical grain cuts of decking.

Knots are indicative of the presence of a branch that was in the lumber. Lower grade materials typically include knots and are, therefore, cheaper.

Checks and splits typically occur when the wood cells are torn apart. They are rather unsightly and can produce splinters.

Thankfully, you won’t have to worry about any of these defects if you install an ipe deck. Not only will your deck be made of premium grade materials, it will also need less maintenance,  look great and be safer than decks that are riddles with the problems outlined above.

Contact Advantage Trim & Lumber Co. Inc. today for premium grade ipe decking.

At Advantage Trim & Lumber we carry Tigerwood, Cumaru, Garapa, and Ipe deck boards up to a length of 20 feet!

What is the advantage of buying 20 foot deck boards?

We carry this length of deck board so that extremely large decks, or decks that are designed diagonally can be installed without having to worry about cupping. Also, for more high-end decks, the lack of seams is also a major reason why people buy 20 ft decking.

We offer varying lengths of exotic wood deck boards in the following profiles:

• E4E S4S (Eased 4 Edges Surface 4 Sides)
• Pre-grooved decking
• Tongue & Groove decking

Contact Advantage Trim & Lumber for all your wood decking needs. Even if you just need some 1x4x10 ipe, you can rest easy knowing that you’re buying premium grade decking at prices that can’t be beat.

Deck Design of the Week

Ipe Wood used by Terry & Terry Architecture

By now, you should know that I am a sucker for great home designs. Unfortunately, where I live, practically every house looks the same (ugh!). So whenever I come across a unique home, or architects that are stretching the boundaries of what an American home can be, I just have to stand up and applaud.

All the more reason why this week’s Deck Design of the Week feature focuses on a pair of brothers who, in my opinion have taken ipe and embraced it as the sustainable, elegant, and functional wood that it really is.

Terry & Terry Architecture is a firm out of San Francisco and they have created some wonderful homes that feature ipe wood. Recently, the San Francisco Chronicle interviewed Terry & Terry Architecture and it’s not hard to see their passion for great home designs.  While the article has some great photos, their personal website has an even greater variety of the work that they’ve done. Check out how they use ipe wood to its fullest potential. You may even be inspired yourself!

As you can see, it’s hard to single out just ONE of their many great designs. The cool thing I like about them is how many different ways they’ve used ipe. Looking through their site, you’ll see how they used ipe for siding, decking, and even walls.

As always, Advantage Trim & Lumber is your one-stop source for all things ipe. Whether you need Brazilian Walnut flooring (ipe flooring), or ipe decking, we provide homeowners, deck builders, and architects premium grade ipe wood at prices that simply cannot be matched. Don’t forget, not all companies offer ipe that has been sustainably cultivated and harvested. Be careful before you throw money at lumber companies that say they sell eco-friendly products without backing it up. We have our FSC certification and can sell eco-friendly wood.

In the world of home design and architecture, there are certainly some wonderful uses for ipe that even I haven’t thought of! I’ve been doing a lot of research online to see what exactly savvy homeowners and architects are doing with this versatile, dependable, and luxurious exotic hardwood. To say that I was inspired would be a complete understatement!

With that in mind, I am proud to introduce the Ipe Decking Blog’s new feature…

The Ipe Design of the Week

To start things off right, let’s take a trip to the Pacific Coast where a truly spectacular display of modern architecture is currently facing the setting sun.

Sebastian Mariscal has designed some truly awe-inspiring modern homes and has received many awards and recognition for his work. One of his home’s even features a second story that is covered in ipe hardwood!

You can see pictures of how Mariscal used ipe siding for this truly unique beachfront home.

Ipe Siding

Where can you buy ipe siding?

In addition to our extensive selection of ipe decking, Advantage Trim & Lumber Company offers homeowners, deck builders, and architects ipe siding that is second-to-none!

Few things in life are as refreshing as stepping out onto your ipe deck to enjoy the company of friends, loved ones, or just to have a moment of solitude. Homeowners who are looking to upgrade or replace their existing patio and outdoor entertainment area are turning to ipe in droves for many reasons.

The reasons why people are choosing ipe decking include:

• Low maintenance
• Better return on investment
• A fresh and beautiful look that lasts
• Increased resistance to mold, mildew, & fungi
• Natural repellent to termite & other insect infestation
• Ipe is eco-friendly

Also known as Brazilian walnut, ipe is a dark brown wood that comes from surprisingly versatile trees. The Tabebuia Serratifolia tree can measure a maximum height of around 150 feet and often has a trunk diameter of around 6 feet. Contrary to what you may have heard, ipe is not an endangered species and grows in a variety of places throughout Central and South America. In fact, ipe is as abundant in Brazil as yellow pine is in the United States.

The wood for ipe decking can be responsibly cultivated in managed forests that have been certified by the respected Forest Stewardship Council. The process to get FSC certified is laborious, time-consuming, and ultimately worth every second. When we, as a leading eco-friendly ipe wood importer, promote responsible forestry practices, consumers, retailers, contractors, and manufacturers start to see the value in using FPC certified woods. At Advantage Trim & Lumber we hope that when you step out on your new ipe deck, you will breathe easier knowing that you have an eco-friendly deck that is still the envy of the neighborhood.

Ipe wood is fast becoming the preferred choice of homeowners and contractors when it comes to outdoor deck construction. Found throughout South America, ipe (pronounced EE-pay) is also known as Brazilian Walnut, Cortez, and Amapa. Regardless of the name, this exotic hardwood is world renowned for its strength and endurance. Another reason why many contractors and builders recommend ipe wood for decking is due to its ability to resist decay and insect infestation. Ipe also has up to a Class A fire rating when it comes to flame spread. Surprisingly, that is the same rating as concrete. With all of these features, you would think that the cost of ipe would be available only to multi-millionaires looking to add onto their mansions. However, compared to the cost of Teak, ipe wood is reasonably priced if you work with the right direct importer.

Ipe lumber is not just for decks. Commercially, ipe has been used in Atlantic City’s famous boardwalk as well as the Treasure Island Resort located in Las Vegas. Ipe has even been rigorously tested by the United States Naval Research Laboratory and the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory. These tests concluded that a single plank of ipe could be left exposed to the elements and even buried in the ground for 15 years without being infested by termites. The tests also revealed that ipe lumber was extremely resistant to mold and fungi. These tests clearly demonstrate that this exotic hardwood lives up to its reputation as one of the most durable woods in the market.

With these facts in mind, it is easy to see how ipe wood can’t be compared to more commonly used woods. This hardwood can be left untreated for over 40 years. Moreover, with deck oil treatments an ipe deck can last well over 100 years. Additionally, when you compare ipe to both cedar and redwood, those traditionally popular woods are not as durable and resilient. For example, recent studies have shown that redwood is not as reliable as it used to be. The reason for this disparity is due to the fact that those centuries old redwood trees are not around anymore due to reckless and persistent logging practices. Currently, the only redwood trees that can be used are too immature and are therefore not as durable.

Ipe hardwood is also eco-friendly. Direct importers of ipe wood tend to purchase wood that has been cultivated in managed forests and are recognized by the Forest Stewardship Council. Utilizing managed forests to harvest exotic hardwoods means that forests can be sustained without completely decimating thousands of acres. Ultimately, when you choose ipe hardwood for your deck, you are promoting responsible and eco-friendly forestry practices.

Recent technological advances have made it easier for ipe to be processed. New cutting blades that can easily handle cutting ipe have led to an overall decrease in its price. In addition, because you can’t use a hammer and some nails to install ipe, the use of drills, fasteners, and other attachments are necessary. The use of these tools and materials means that installing an ipe deck is not as labor intensive as it used to be. Ultimately, because this exotic hardwood is now less costly to process, the savings can be passed onto consumers.

If you are serious about having a deck that is built to last and won’t have to be replaced or repaired every couple of years, then building an ipe deck is a sound and worthwhile investment. It’s rare to find a hardwood that is beautiful and functional. Despite the fact that ipe is denser than most other woods and therefore requires a bit more manual labor, a fully constructed deck can be enjoyed with very little maintenance and can last well over a lifetime. Ultimately, pressure treated and composite wood decks simply do not have the longevity and durability of an ipe wood deck.